Arm assembly for excavation apparatus and method of using same

Abstract

An arm assembly for an excavator includes an arm comprising a first hook including a first open mouth. The arm further includes a first pin capturing system that selectively obstructs the first open mouth. A link is movable relative to said arm and comprises a second hook including a second open mouth. The second open mouth is oriented toward the arm, and the link further comprises a second pin capturing system that selectively obstructs the second open mouth. The first and second pin assemblies of an attachment are selectively captured in the first and second hooks. The pin assemblies include a sleeve rotatably positioned on an attachment pin that extends between ribs of the attachment. The sleeve includes a bore that closely receives the attachment pin and the length of the sleeve is selected so that the sleeve fits closely between the attachment ribs, thereby allowing the arm assembly to pick-up various attachments with different pin diameters, ribs spacings and pin-to-pin distances. The arm assembly can be coupled to and decoupled from an associated attachment by an operator without assistance from a ground crew.

1 - 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . An attachment comprising: 
 a body;    first and second spaced-apart ribs connected to said body;    first and second spaced-apart pins extending between said first and second ribs;    first and second sleeves rotatably positioned on said first and second pins, wherein said first and second sleeves each comprise: 
 first and second bearing surfaces that are oriented outwardly away from each other and that are located adjacent and adapted for sliding engagement with said first and second ribs, respectively;  
 a first seal projecting outwardly from said first bearing surface for sealingly engaging said first rib; and,  
 a second seal projecting outwardly from said second bearing surface for sealingly engaging said second rib.  
   
   
   
       23 . The attachment as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said first and second pins are restrained against rotation relative to said first and second ribs.  
   
   
       24 . (canceled)  
   
   
       25 . (canceled)  
   
   
       26 . A sleeve for connection to an associated attachment pin, said sleeve comprising: 
 a tubular portion comprising a cylindrical outer surface and defining a through-bore adapted for receipt of the associated attachment pin;    first and second spacers connected to opposite first and second ends of said tubular portion, said first and second spacers defining respective first and second bearing surfaces that face outwardly away from each other; and,    first and second seals connected to said first and second spacers and overhanging said first and second bearing surfaces, respectively.    
   
   
       27 . The sleeve as set forth in  claim 26 , wherein said first and second spacers each comprises at least one lubrication channel defined therein and in communication with said through bore.  
   
   
       28 . (canceled)  
   
   
       29 . (canceled)  
   
   
       30 . An apparatus comprising an arm assembly and an attachment operably connected to said arm assembly, wherein: 
 said arm assembly comprises: (i) an arm comprising a first hook including a first open mouth, said arm further comprising a first pin capturing member that selectively captures a first associated pin in said first hook; and, (ii) a link movably connected to said arm and comprising a second hook that includes a second open mouth oriented toward said arm, said link further comprising a second pin capturing member that selectively captures a second associated pin in said second hook, wherein said first and second pin capturing members are operatively connected to first and second hydraulic actuators; and,    said attachment comprises: 
 a body;  
 first and second spaced apart ribs connected to said body; and  
 first and second pin assemblies extending between said first and second ribs, said first and second pin assemblies comprising first and second sleeves surrounding first and second pins, said first and second sleeves each comprising: 
 first and second bearing surfaces that are oriented outwardly away from each other and that are located adjacent and adapted for sliding engagement with said first and second ribs, respectively;  
 a first seal projecting outwardly from said first bearing surface for sealingly engaging said first rib; and,  
 a second seal projecting outwardly from said second bearing surface for sealingly engaging said second rib.  
 
   
   
   
       31 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein said first and second pins are restrained against rotation relative to said first and second ribs.  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein said first and second sleeves each comprise: 
 a tubular portion defining a through bore;    first and second spacers connected to opposite first and second ends of said tubular portion, said first and second spacers respectively defining said first and second bearing surfaces.    
   
   
       33 . The apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein said first and second spacers each comprise at least one lubrication channel defined therein in communication with said through bore.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein said first and second sleeves are freely rotatable relative to said first and second pins, respectively.